The Translation of the Ashes of Napoleon: 15 December, 1840 c. 1842

Eugène Lami's watercolor commemorates the return of Napoleon's ashes to Paris in 1840. Note the grand, neoclassical architecture, which serves as a stage for this carefully orchestrated event. Observe how the building's columns echo those of ancient triumphal arches, structures meant to glorify emperors and military victories. This harkens back to the Roman Empire and suggests Napoleon's ambition to emulate its power and prestige. Similarly, the eagle—a recurring Napoleonic emblem—evokes the Roman Aquila, symbolizing dominion. It's worth remembering the eagle has earlier roots as an ancient solar symbol signifying power and divinity, found across cultures from Mesopotamia to the Americas. These symbols tap into a deep, collective memory, stirring subconscious associations of authority and heroism. The scene is designed to evoke a powerful emotional response, connecting the present with a carefully constructed vision of the past, one that serves to legitimize power and inspire a sense of national pride.